For some, geocaching can be a chance to push yourself and chase extremes. Imagine T5 hikes, mind-bending Mystery Caches, wading in creeks to make a find, or heading out to find a tricky night cache. But there are as many ways to geocache as there are geocachers. In addition to being a fun challenge for thrill-seekers, geocaching can also be a stress relief tool for chill-seekers. For all of those looking for stress relief, we’re sharing three tips on how to use geocaching to cultivate calm and possibly reduce everyday stress.

Find your inner zen
A way to beat stress includes going on a geocache outing that emphasizes the zen of geocaching. Here’s what a zen outing could look like: a lot of low-difficulty caches near one another in a lovely location. Walk from one cache to the next, taking in the natural surroundings, and find a meditative flow as you practice the ritual of signing the logbook and posting your log on the app. By the end of your outing, you’ll have several new finds and may develop a deeper sense of inner peace.

Get creative and craft a new cache
Studies show that flexing your creativity has health benefits and can reduce stress. So break out the paints and glitter glue and express your creativity by making a cool new geocache container. Possibilities for your crafting activity range from creating a hollowed-out book cache, to adding glamour to an ammo can, or getting creative and camouflaging a Tupperware container to make it blend into its hiding spot.

Spend time in the great outdoors
There is something about fresh air and being surrounded by the beauty of nature that immediately makes you exhale and relax. There are even studies related to this that show that the “smell of nature” reduces stress. Plan an outing all around a beautiful natural location. Perhaps it could be a cache at the end of a hike through a deep green forest or a find that gives you a breathtaking view of the sunset over a lake. Whichever natural destination you choose, you may feel a welcome sense of calm when you make your find there.

What are your favorite ways to reduce stress by geocaching? Share in the comments!